text:
The figures 2011 have not been adjusted according to Swiss GAAP FER.
Key Figures
|million CHF
3 766
3 720
3 638
|Return on sales (EBIT margin) %
|Return on invested capital (ROIC) %
|Free cash flow before acquisitions/divestitures
|Dividend (proposed) per registered share in CHF
|Employees at year-end
|14 066
|13 412
|13 606
Innovation at GF
Acting on our customers' needs
At GF innovation processes are based on a close collaboration with customers in order to address their specific needs. GF's quest for customer-oriented solutions is reflected in its global R&D centers, which contribute their expert knowledge to the development of well-adapted solutions – to remain our customers' first choice.
All about GF
Our Profile //
GF comprises three divisions GF Piping Systems, GF Automotive, and GF Machining Solutions. Founded in 1802, the Corporation is headquartered in Switzerland and is present in 32 countries, with 124 companies, 48 of them production facilities. Its approximately 14 000 employees generated sales of CHF 3.77 billion in 2013. GF is the preferred partner of its customers for the safe transport of liquids and gases, lightweight casting components in vehicles, and high-precision manufacturing technologies.
GF Piping Systems
GF Piping Systems is a leading supplier of piping systems made of plastics and metal. The division focuses on system solutions and high-quality components for the safe transport of water and gas in industry, utility, and building technology. Its product line includes fittings, valves, pipes, automation and jointing technology and covers all water cycle applications.
GF Piping Systems supports its customers in over 100 countries
through its own sales companies and representatives. The division is
present in Europe, Asia and the Americas withmore than 30
manufacturing sites and research and development centers, which also
energy-saving use of raw materials and resources.
GF Automotive
GF Automotive is a technologically pioneering development partner and manufacturer of lightweight cast components and systems made of ductile iron, aluminum and magne-sium for the global automotive industry as well as a variety of industrial applications. The highly complex lightweight com-ponents contribute to making modern vehicles lighter and reducing the CO2 emissions.
GF Automotive manufactures some 600 000 tons of lightweight components at 9 production plants in Germany, Austria, and China. In those countries as well as in Switzerland, Korea and Japan it operates sales offices. The lightweight research and development competency is in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) and Suzhou (China).
GF Machining Solutions
GF Machining Solutions' electrical discharge, high-speed milling and laser texturing machines, along with automation solutions, make it the world's leading provider to the tool and mold making industry and to manufacturers of precision components. Most important customer segments are information and communication technology, aerospace, and the automotive industry.
The division has its own sales companies in more than 50 countries
and production plants in Switzerland, Sweden, and China. GF Machining
Solutions operates research and development centers in Meyrin, Losone,
and Nidau (Switzer-
land), Vällingby (Sweden), Beijing, and Changzhou (China).
Highlights 2013
Innovative solutions
At the 4th GF Technology Day in October more than 60 analysts and journalists came for a presentation of several key innovations and for a glimpse at what is in store at GF regarding technology. The company invested more than CHF 100 million in research & development and registered 46 new patents last year. The three divisions showcased their latest innovations that were explained during workshops and key notes by the heads of the divisions.
Revisit on YouTube // GF is present on Social Media channels. The video of the Technology Day you can see below is also available on our YouTube channel.
Letter to the Shareholders
A substantial rise in performance
Dear shareholders
GF generated sales of CHF 3 766 million in 2013 for a nominal increase of 1%. On a like-for-like basis, corrected for changes in the scope of consolidation and currency effects, growth amounted to 2%.
After a weak first quarter, sales recovered especially in the second half year, which showed growth of 4% on the back of better market conditions but also market share gains.
Operating profit (EBIT) rose 13% to CHF 251 million as plants were better loaded in the second half and overhead costs were kept at the previous year's level.
The EBIT margin went up from 6.0% to 6.7%, and the return on invested capital (ROIC) from 15.7% to 16.7%. All three divisions contributed to the profitability increase and generated ROICs well above their cost of capital.
Free cash flow before acquisitions went up 76% to CHF 174 million thanks to the higher profit but also as net working capital was kept at previous year level and capital expenditures went slightly down.
The number of employees increased by 654 to 14 066 mainly on account of the acquisition of Hakan Plastik (Turkey) in July 2013.
Net profit grew 5%, amounting to CHF 145 million after the deduction of CHF 26 million resulting from the divestment of the gravity die-casting business of GF Automotive.
Earnings per share stood at CHF 34, after the above mentioned one-off effect. The Board of Directors will propose a dividend of CHF 16 (CHF 15 in 2012) at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting.
Significant progress towards strategy implementation //
The acquisition in July 2013 of Hakan Plastik, a leading Turkish plastic piping systems manufacturer with annual sales of CHF 100 million, brings GF Piping Systems a strong presence in Turkey, in the Middle East and Eastern Europe as well as a whole array of complementary products, which will be sold by the whole GF Piping Systems sales organization.
The divestment of the aluminum gravity die-casting plant of Herzogenburg (Austria) at the beginning of 2014 allows GF Automotive to focus on its core iron sand casting as well as aluminum and magnesium pressure die-casting activities.
The cost reduction program of CHF 25 million announced at the beginning of the year has been implemented in full and already supported the second-half result. It will be fully effective in 2014.
All three divisions increased their sales and operative profits
Working together to serve our customers
We express our gratitude to our investors and our banks for their continuing trust as evidenced by the successful placement of our two bonds in 2013.
We also send our heartfelt thanks to our customers for their constant feedback and close collaboration which inspires and allows us to serve them better and quicker. Finally, our special thoughts go to our employees whose willingness to live up to our values and work together across borders makes all the difference.
Andreas Koopmann
Chairman of the
Board of Directors
Yves Serra
President and CEO
Corporate Report 2013
Topics of the Corporate Report
Yves Serra, CEO interview
"Customers are a key source of inspiration for us"
"Innovations – inspired by our customers" is the title of your annual report. What do you mean by this?
Customers are a key source of inspiration for us. By noticing how they use our products, by working together on addressing their needs, we bring about innovations which have a better chance to really serve them.
Can you provide examples of such GF innovations?
Take the three cases presented on the following pages. GF Piping
Systems developed the large-size fittings and valves as well as all
sensors required for the huge amount of water used at the vast
water-based amusement park near Sydney. We guarantee therefore their
compatibility, eliminating leaks and contamination. GF Automotive was
involved in the development of the new DAF commercial vehicle at a
very early stage and designed components which allow DAF to reduce the
weight of each truck by 70 kilograms. This clearly helps to reduce
diesel consumption and CO2 emissions. In the aeronautics sector,
GF Machining Solutions worked together with its customer MTU and adapted its high speed milling machines, inclu-ding a new CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) to fit the needs of its customer regarding the large scale produ-ction of blisks for the new aircraft engines to be mounted on the Airbus A320neo.
GF has decentralized its R&D centers. Why?
Customers in our market sectors want to have partners who are located in their countries and therefore who can better understand their needs and quickly act upon them. That is why we have decentralized R&D operations in the major markets where we operate, in Europe, in the Americas, and in Asia.
"Customers in our market sectors want to have partners who are located in their countries."
What is the role of Switzerland in this regard?
We have over the years accumulated a huge amount of expertise in Switzerland and our central R&D facilities and are therefore located in this country. In addition, we are producing the core components for our machine tools or our piping systems in Switzerland because this is where we have the know-how to do so. The R&D facilities worldwide benefit from the support of our engineers based here, for example in the transfer of technology and expertise. We also coordinate from Switzerland the worldwide R&D activities to make sure of their efficiency and avoid duplications.
All the more important to have the right talents. What are you doing to make GF attractive to them?
We continuously offer a large amount of internships to business and engineering students across the world. We collabo-rate on numerous research and development projects with the key universities located in the main markets. For example, in 2012 we started a new collaboration with the Department of Management, Technology and Economics (MTEC) at ETH Zurich, one of the world's leading universities. The project, which will continue in 2014, offers master class students pro-jects for their theses which give them insights into an actual company environment, while we get an outside perspective and new ideas. All the above we do to make sure GF not only remains but is also regarded as an attractive employer offering interesting jobs internationally.
Organization of GF
Georg Fischer Ltd, the Holding Company of the Georg Fischer Corporation, is organized under Swiss law, headquartered in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Board of Directors //
The ten members of the Board of Directors, elected individually by the Shareholders' Meeting, are responsible for determining the Corporation's strategic direction, the design of accounting, the financial controlling and financial planning. It appoints the Executive Committee and has ultimate responsibility for supervising and monitoring the management of Georg Fischer Ltd. All members of the Board of Directors are non-executive.
A shared corporate culture is becoming increasingly important with the spread of internationalization.
Executive Committee //
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the management of the Corporation. Under his leadership, the Executive Committee addresses all issues of relevance to the Corporation, takes decisions within its remit and submits proposals to the Board of Directors. The Heads of the Divisions and the Corporate Staff Units are responsible for drafting and achieving their business objectives and for managing their units autonomously.
Corporate structure //
GF Corporation is organized in three divisions and two Corporate Staff Units. The divi-sions are GF Piping Systems, GF Automotive and GF Machining Solutions. The Corporate Staff Units are Finance & Controlling and Corporate Development. The Heads of the Divisions and the Corporate Staff Units are responsible for managing their businesses and for achieving their business objectives.
Corporate center //
The CEO and the CFO form the Corporate center in the narrower sense. The Corporate center is closely involved in management, planning, IT, communications, finance, management development, and corpo-rate culture and is supported in these tasks by a team of about 50 people. The Corporate center ensures that risk manage-ment, transparency, corporate governance, sustainability, and compliance practices meet the requirements of the owners and the public, and it supports the Board of Directors in meeting its responsibilities.
Finances //
Corporate Finance & Controlling uses powerful information systems to ensure the time-critical financial management of the Corporation. A standardized system of financial reporting is used throughout the entire Corporation, guaranteeing immediate and complete transparency. Currency, interest-rate, and credit risks are monitored and managed at Corporation level.
Management development //
Strategically important competencies and information are shared and made available throughout the Corporation. Considerable importance is attached to internal training and to the focused nurturing and development of leaders and managers.
Communication //
The Corporation has a strong brand with GF. In 2013, the company has implemented a rebran-ding and an alignment of its brand architecture. A new Corporate Design has been adopted worldwide throughout all three divisions in October. The new Corporate Design, internal and external communications as well as investor relations (i.e. relations with the financial markets) reinforce the public perception and the image of the Corporation.
Corporate values //
Shared corporate values are the basis for overall sustainable development and are becoming increasingly important with the spread of internationalization. The Corporate center conveys and promotes the fundamental corporate values throughout the company, thereby nurturing and fostering its corporate culture. Open, active, and timely communication with employees, customers, investors, and the public makes for both credibility and trust.
Corporate Governance //
For detailed information about the Corporate Governance of GF see pages 40 to 49 in the Annual Report 2013.
Download Organization of GF
Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors and Executive Committee of GF attach very great importance to good Corporate Governance in the interest of shareholders, customers, business partners, and employees. The implementation and ongoing improvement of the generally accepted principles of Corporate Governance ensure the necessary transparency to enable investors to judge the quality of the Corporation. This Report provides information on structures and processes, areas of responsibility and decision-making procedures, control mechanisms as well as the rights and obligations of the various stakeholders.
Contents //
The present publication fulfills all obligations of the relevant SIX Swiss Exchange directive on information relating to Corporate Governance in terms of content and order and is based on the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance of economiesuisse, the Swiss Business Federation. The Compensation Report is presented in a separate chapter on pages 50 to 57. All data and information apply to the cutoff date of 31 December 2013, unless otherwise noted. Any changes occurring before the copy deadline on 14 February 2014 are listed at the end of this chapter. Any changes occurring after the copy deadline can be found on our website.
GF also publishes the Articles of Association of Georg Fischer Ltd, the internal Organization and Business Rules, its policies, and much more information online - Corporate Governance - Policies
More information about Corporate Governance
Related topics on georgfischer.com
- /content/gf/com/en/investoren/corporate-governance
- /content/gf/com/en/investoren/strategie-2015/CorporateCultureValues
Compensation Report
This remuneration report provides information about the compensation policy, the compensation programs and the process of determination of compensation applicable to the Board of Directors and to the Executive Committee of GF. It also includes details on the compensation payments related to 2013. This report is written in accordance to the transparency regulations of the Swiss Code of Obligations Art. 663b bis and 663c, the standards related to information on Corporate Governance issued by the SIX Swiss Exchange and the principles of the Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance of Economiesuisse.
The remuneration paid in accordance with the abovementioned provisions of the Code of Obligations is listed and commented in the consolidated financial statements (Annual Report 2013, page 102) and in the statements of Georg Fischer Ltd (Annual Report 2013, pages 114 to 116).


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Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., shares her reaction to the mass shooting in Newtown and talks about the future of gun control legislation in Washington, D.C.
President Barack Obama signaled during his first debate with his Republican opponent Mitt Romney on Oct. 3 that he was willing to consider a change in Social Security benefits.
He said, "It's going to have to be tweaked the way it was by Ronald Reagan and Speaker -- Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill" in their 1983 deal that raised Social Security taxes and pushed up the eligibility age for collecting full retirement benefits from 65 to 67.
Now Obama has put forward his "tweak": changing the formula used to increase Social Security benefits every year – a switch that would result in retirees getting a smaller increase in benefits than they would get under the current cost of living formula.
The average Social Security benefit for a retired worker is about $1,230 a month.
Beneficiaries will get a 1.7 percent increase in benefits, or a cost of living adjustment (COLA), in January to compensate them for the effects of rising prices. Beneficiaries got a 3.6 percent increase in 2012 but got no increase in 2011.
Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Protesters rally in Florida against cutting Medicare/Social Security benefits.
The Social Security benefit increases are pegged to the consumer price index for urban wage earners, a measure called CPI-W, which is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If prices drop, Social Security benefits do not get reduced.
Obama proposes to change to a different measure called "chained CPI" which attempts to reflect how consumers adjust their mix of purchases as the prices of different items change: for example, if the price of spaghetti was surging while the price of men's shirts was unchanged, you might decide to buy somewhat less spaghetti and more shirts. You won't stop buying spaghetti entirely and spend every last dollar on shirts, but you will adjust your consumer mix.
Jason Fichtner, the former chief economist of the Social Security Administration who now teaches at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute, said the COLA which took effect in 2009 was a 5.8 percent increase using the current formula. If the chained CPI measure had been used, the increase would have been 5.2 percent.
On average, the difference between the current COLA and a COLA using chained CPI would be about three-tenths of a percentage point per year: so if under the current formula, beneficiaries would get a 1.5 percent increase in a given year, they'd get a 1.2 percent increase under a chained CPI formula.
"In times of high inflation, beneficiaries will still get a large increase; it just won't be as much," Fichtner said. "Everyone is still going to get a benefit increase -- both a nominal increase and a real increase to keep up their purchasing power."
He added, "Depending on the measure of inflation you use, you can make the argument that we have been giving people a higher adjustment than is warranted, based on inflation and the change of consumer behavior to adjust to price. What this (chained CPI) does is just bring it back to a more realistic or accurate measure."
Because there are so many Americans who collect Social Security benefits (56 million), because the number of recipients keeps growing by about 3 percent a year, and because Social Security is the single biggest spending item in the federal budget (more than one-fifth of all federal outlays), even a modest change – or "tweak" as Obama would say – would result in a significant reduction in spending.
Last year the Congressional Budget Office estimated that switching to the chained CPI formula for Social Security recipients would cut spending by $112 billion over 10 years (2012-2021).
If this switch in the COLA formula were applied to retired federal workers and to military retirees and their dependents it would save an additional $24 billion over ten years.
Obama's proposed change would not be a cut in actual dollar terms in Social Security benefits – it would not mean a recipient who had been getting $1,230 a month would now get $1,150 a month. But some Social Security proponents still contend it will cause some hardship for some people. A calculation last year by the National Academy of Social Insurance found that a COLA that is 0.3 percentage points lower each year would result in a monthly benefit that was about 8.4 percent lower (than it would be under the current formula) by the time a retiree reached age 92.
In an analysis last year the CBO said, "An argument against reducing the COLA is that the prices faced by Social Security beneficiaries could rise faster than prices faced by the population at large. For example, beneficiaries are likely to spend more than younger people do for medical care, the price of which generally outpaces the prices of many other goods and services."
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks about the latest in the fiscal cliff negotiations on Capitol Hill.
In an interview with NBC's Andrea Mitchell Tuesday, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "the details of this are not all ironed out, but they all mitigate for helping the poorest and neediest in our society, whether they are SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients, whether they're 80 and older or whether the truly needy in between."
She said some statements by Democratic House members opposing Obama's chained CPI proposal were not indicating total opposition, but opposition only if the final accord to be signed by the president did not provide exemptions for certain categories of the kind Pelosi mentioned.
But Eric Kingson, co-chairman of a group called Social Security Works and a professor at Syracuse University who served as an advisor to the 1982-83 Greenspan commission on Social Security Reform, said. "It's a terrible idea. You can dress it up any way you want. It's a benefit cut and it violates the promise that Leader Pelosi made, the president made, and almost every politician – Democrats and Republicans -- made that they would not cut Social Security benefits."
He said the purpose of the COLA is to ensure that benefits maintain their purchasing power throughout your lifetime. He said for a beneficiary who retires at age 65 and reaches age 95, he or she will have lost $18,000 in benefits compared to what he'd get under the current system.
Kingson said he worked as a "very active volunteer" for Obama's re-election and respects him, but "this is going to get an awful lot of people very upset…. It fosters a lot cynicism if we now move to cutting Social Security." He said the Obama White House "probably doesn't understand how critical this system is to regular Americans."

subset: commoncrawl


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Back to wiki
--- /pcc_history.mdwn 2007/09/27 18:45:02 1.1 +++ /pcc_history.mdwn 2007/09/27 18:45:41 1.2 @@ -1,7 +1,5 @@ The compiler is based on the original Portable C Compiler by S. C. Johnson, written in the late 70's. Even though much of the compiler has been rewritten, some of the basics still remain. -The compiler is conceptually structured in two parts; pass1 which is language-dependent, does parsing, typechecking and build trees, and pass2 which is mostly language-independent. - About 50% of the frontend code and 80% of the backend code has been rewritten. Most stuff is written by Anders Magnusson, with the exception of the data-flow analysis part and the SSA conversion code which is written by Peter A Jonsson, and the Mips port that were written as part of a project by undergraduate students at LTU. It was publicly announced to the NetBSD community on September 14, 2007. Shortly later it was
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Not much worth mentioning for the homeward commute (aside from the swanky new Bike Week poster I saw on the bus)
Other than that, I had a nice lunch, went for a walk.
I committed a crime against photography (I think)
If these were further from the building, I think people might mistake these for bike racks.
It's spring time.
Another mediocre coffee shop in the downtown loop
In the colder months, this alley is home to the homeless. Lots of warm air coming from various vents, as there's a hotel kitchen right on the other side of the wall. In the warmer months, it smells of rotting kitchen waste and is writhing with maggots. In a few weeks, I will have to hold my nose to walk past it. I like this alley more in the winter.
I tried to go to the bank to deposit our MO Tax Refund (small enough to spend in one place, easily) only to find out that since it is written to me AND my wife (not me OR my wife) we both have to sign it. Freaking red tape. Someone get me a blowtorch.
Random Tunage:
The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Remix)
Desree - Dreams Can Come True
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Took a walk over lunch
Not much worth mentioning for the homeward commute (aside from the swanky new Bike Week poster I saw on the bus)
5 comments:
- Unknown said...
If both of your names are on the account, some banks will let it slide.
You should start a library of badly placed bike racks. :)
- April 17, 2008 10:59 AM
- Noah said...
Conversation went something like this:
Teller (taking completed savings deposit slip and check from me): "Is your wife on this account?"
Me: "I don't think she is. She's on the Checking account, though."
Teller: "Oh, well then you need to deposit it into that account."
I grab a checking deposit slip and fill it out, then hand it back to her.
Teller: "She has to sign it, too."
Me: "Just for a deposit? She's on the account!"
Teller: "Those are the rules. If it said 'OR' instead of 'AND' between your names, I could process it with one signature."
Me (grabbing helmet): "**** it."
- April 17, 2008 11:07 AM
- Dan said...
That bike rack shot is hilarious (meaning it's amazing how clueless the installer must be). Much like the rack I found at the local Walgreens.
- April 19, 2008 11:24 AM
- Dan said...
(submitted too soon)
See the Walgreens rack here:
- April 19, 2008 11:26 AM
- amidnightrider said...
My wife and I just sign each others names on these.
- April 19, 2008 12:23 PM
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's countryside home is truly fit for a Duke and Duchess.
Photos of the couple's Cotswold Hills estate surfaced on Wednesday (January 9), showing the $3 million mansion in all of its glory. According to The Sun, the home has four bedrooms — one of which serves as a dressing room — an "upper kitchen," a "lower kitchen," a sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows, a heated outdoor seating area, and a separate two-bedroom cottage for the couple's staff. (You know, the bare necessities)
While the estate is not their main residence — the two currently live in a two-bedroom home, Nottingham Cottage, on the Kensington Palace grounds — Meghan and Harry are apparently in love with their home away from home. "It's a fabulous place with stunning views and extraordinarily private," a source told The Sun. "It's set in a small bowl of beautiful countryside so is not overlooked in any way. Meghan adores the area. She and Harry love walking the dogs there, and they can entertain their friends in complete solitude."
Meghan and Harry reportedly signed a two-year lease on the Cotswolds property right before their royal wedding in May. The two are said to have traveled there after they tied the knot. "They spend a lot of time in the Cotswolds, more than people realize," " a source told Vanity Fair in August. "They are in the country way more than they are in London and they are enjoying a low-key and very domesticated start to married life."
As royal fans know, the couple is gearing up to move out of their small Nottingham Cottage into the sprawling Frogmore Cottage on Windsor Estate. The property is currently under renovation as the two prepare to welcome their first child together.
See photos of their countryside home HERE.
Photo: Getty Images


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Bonavita Metro
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Bonavita Metro
Since 1995, Bonavita has furnished thousands of beautiful, safe, and stylish children's nurseries across the country. The trustworthy brand is creative and innovative in trendsetting and styling and also sets the bar for safety and security. While we carry many of their collections, the Bonavita Metro Collection is one of our most treasured ones. A lot of new and seasoned parents order the collection in different colors and high quality finishes to adorn their little ones special and safe nurseries. The Metro collection is one of our best sellers for the reasons mentioned above: the furniture is beautiful, efficient, and safe.
While all of their collections are beautiful, safe, and long lasting, the Bonavita Metro crib collection is undoubtedly one of the most sought out on the market for its clean lines and uncomplicated styling. Described as both modern and traditional, this collection showcases its uniqueness in terms of color styling. Each Metro piece comes in a variety of colors, including Black, dark, medium, or white wood. The color you choose to furnish your baby's room with will determine the overall style and feel of the nursery. For example, the collection in light wood will give off a more traditional feel, while the same furniture in black will give the room a modern vibe. This collection will adapt to your personal style and room.
While all of the pieces in this collection are aesthetically pleasing, they are also well made and guaranteed safe for your child. Each and every furniture item in this collection fuses high-end style, solid construction and versatility to last years beyond your little one's young years. This furniture collection is a great investment and will likely be in your family well after your baby's teenage years. All of their furniture meets or exceeds ASTM, JPMA and CPSC standards and undergoes voluntary testing, so you know your baby is in the right care.


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No Half Measures - A runner's perspective of the Hastings Half Marathon
Stretching is impossible. Bodies cram together. With the adrenaline simmering there's no room to move, so its arms strictly by sides and an expectant wait for the inevitable surge. Finding our correct running zone will be impossible, but that's not important now. The clock underneath the starting gate is almost down to zero. The announcer's voice becomes fuzzy and crackles. Nervous chatter ceases. 5, 4, 3, 2... Its 10.30 exactly.
The night before the race I was, in truth, tired. It had been a busy week, all travel and meetings and hectic running about in the office. I'd promised myself my race preparation would be good: plenty of decent food, just a little light exercise and crucially, rest. Instead, as I lay in bed after another hard day, my legs ached and my mind raced with anxiety. I'd never run this far before.
Suddenly there's music coming from the sound system…It's Chariots of Fire!
Space frees up, it's a few steps forward and suddenly the crowd is running, a colourful mass streaming onto the seafront. There's a strong temptation to gallop away in crazy abandon, to feed on the euphoria of the moment. But energy reserves are limited, I remind myself, and there are big hills to come.
The 13.1-mile Hastings Half Marathon takes place every year at the start of the spring running season. Organised by Hastings Lions Club, the race offers big event experience and regularly attracts a top quality international field. Alongside all the local running clubs and sponsored-for-charity part timers, there are some serious athletes to be found. The fastest ever course time was made in 1999 by Kenyan Samuel Otieno, who made it round in an incredible 1.01.37.
That time, I work out, would put Samuel on an average of under 5 minutes per mile. A more stately 9 minutes per mile is my aim, a pace that should bring me to the finish gate in just under 2 hours. It's not a time destined to break records or set the event on fire; it's just my personal goal.
It's back to reality with a bump as we hit the first punishing rise behind the promenade. Staggering around a couple of tight steep bends, runners are already panting and gasping for air. There's much worse to come, of course, and soon. Within 15 minutes we'll hit dreaded Queensway, an energy-sapping climb stretching right to the top of town.
As the gradient kicks in and I check my pace, I notice all manner of runners around me, male and female, young and old, skinny and rotund. Some of the runners sport club-colour vests; others wear Lycra and retro headbands. Representing the more outlandish, I see a man in a furry spotted Dalmatian suit, and someone dressed as human-rhino, a grey-green costume complete with horn and snout. A runner pounds past me wearing only Speedos and gas mask and there's another guy who looks like Begby out for a stroll: lank greasy hair, dirty flannel trousers and navy blue jumper. He's only missing the roll-up.
It's the ordinary people that make these events. Each year hundreds of thousands of Britons run the 13.1 or 26.2-mile distance in an effort to raise millions for charity. A staggering 36,000 finished the London marathon last year, and the race is so popular an entry ballot is required with minimum levels of sponsorship running into the thousands. Coming exactly one month before London, the Hastings Half is seen as "ideal preparation" for the big one, and this year 3772 runner's push through the pain barrier to the finish line on the seafront.
I hit the top of the rise with a burst of acceleration and thankfully, for the moment, it's flat. An energy gel goes down the throat and there's a paper cup of water to be grabbed from a drinks station. Despite all the pain and the sweat and the strain there's shots of adrenaline coursing through the body, and clean bolts of energy to the head. I guess that's why so many people run: it's a superb cleanser of body and mind.
The support here in Hastings is awesome and cheering people line the entire route. By the side of the course stand friends, families and neighbours, and live bands and choirs feature along the way. Patients from the hospital and care homes turn out to cheer, and several pubs have emptied onto the roadside, their clientele grinning as the racers sweat past. There's a strong sense of community and spirit in the town that gives the runners an extra wind. Many will have raised hundreds for individual charities, and for that there's generous recognition from the local crowd.
Somewhere around the 9-mile mark, my momentum starts to ebb and without warning I'm down to a crawl. The spring in my stride is replaced by fatigue as my pace drops off and runners steam past. It could be that I've finally hit the wall - my reserves are gone, my muscles drained. I'd hoped this wouldn't happen. Dreams of making 2 hours are fading fast.
There's no lack of gas from the Africans this year, with Kenyan Gordon Mugi winning the event in 1 hour 8 minutes exactly. Seyoum Negussie of Ethiopia takes second, just 18 seconds behind.
For the ladies, Rebby Koech of Kenya wins the battle over Bristol and West's Lucy MacAlister, clinching victory in a time of 1.15.13. To run so far so fast seems a sensational effort.
Almost down to the seafront now but with mild despair setting in, a good friend appears at my shoulder with a bottle of Gatorade and some much-needed encouragement. At a crucial time I've gained someone to stick to, a buddy to pace me right to the end. The last 2 miles along the sunny promenade are clouded by pain as we both now grimace against stiffening legs. Then, just as it seems bearable no more, we're over, together as mates and a picture of exhausted elation. I glance at the stopwatch….1.54.47. Victory!


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There are a lot of books that are, by and large, regarded as classics. They're the ones you just have to read—and if you don't, you're depriving yourself of great literature.
But are you really depriving yourself?
I've read a number of books that are considered classics (whether modern or legit), and some, like Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Preaching and Preachers and Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, are absolutely worthy of being called classics. But then there are others that I just don't get the appeal.
I have at least two examples.
I cannot stand Moby Dick. Cannot stand it. I know that Melville is supposed to be the greatest novelist that America has produced, but I really didn't find it to be that engaging a read. I first read it in high school as part of an independent study project, and nearly every time I picked it up, I fell asleep.
A few years later, I did give it another shot. I didn't want to assume that I didn't like it simply because I had a bad experience with it in high school. The experience reading it as an adult was not unlike pushing a boulder up a steep hill.
In a snowstorm.
Without pants.
"Call me Ishmael."
Next one: Some time ago, I attempted to read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. I say attempted, because, this devotional classic kept putting me to sleep. I think I managed to get 150 pages in before I put it on the de-read pile. I have not, as of yet, taken another stab at it. In fact, I think I finally purged it from my library.
Now I'm not saying these are bad books… they're just books that I just could not get into, no matter how hard I try.
No doubt we all have them.
So what about you, dear reader?
What's the classic you just couldn't get into?


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I've been a member on Identi.ca – the open source microblogging platform, for 3 years now. I've amassed 166 subscribers, and subscribe to 130 people there.
I've been on Google+ for a week now. In both "in my circles" and "I'm in their circles", I've got almost exactly 2x what I've gathered from Identi.ca in 3 years. My "Linux" circle alone has nearly 200, more than everyone I converse with on Identi.ca, even though nearly all my identi.ca friends are members in identi.ca's target audience – the Linux & Open Source community.
Don't get me wrong. I am an ardent fan of open source software, and the open source development model. Evan Prodromo and the folks at status.net have done a great job. However, using the "go where the users are" yardstick, I think they're coming up short. At a blogging conference in Austin a few months ago, I made the point of asking every analytical software vendor there – folks like Radian6, when they planned to add status.net / identi.ca support into their platforms. By my count, I was the only one in the room that had even heard of them.
Google, Status.net and other key contributors to the OpenSocial Foundation serve a key role – building open specifications and APIs to be able to exchange data across social networking sites. I hope the forthcoming promised Google+ APIs will be based on OpenSocial, which will give both credibility and teeth to the effort, and will encourage the more open sharing of our content across multiple social sites. I expect integration between Google+ and Identi.ca will be a first fruit.


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Westbury nightclub allowed to reopen
A Westbury nightclub can reopen as a cabaret bar, the village board has ruled, more than a month since officials effectively shuttered the club.
Citing noise and garbage complaints and a violation of the building's adult uses clause, the board said in April it would not act on a renewal application from Avanti Night Club, on Post Avenue. Mayor Peter Cavallaro alleged that online ads, for which club management would not take responsibility, promoted a "swingers' party."
At a May 2 meeting, Cavallaro openly clashed with club representatives. Club managers have denied sexual activity took place in the club.
Club officials promised to take measures to address noise concerns, with soundproof doors and a foyer added to the back of the building. Gennaro Tallarico, the club's manager, pressed the mayor for a speedy decision, saying the waiting amounted to a death sentence for the business.
After the board ruled in a 5-0 vote Thursday to approve the permit, Cavallaro said the reopening is on a "probationary basis." The club has to renew the permit after six months. In a telephone interview Friday, Cavallaro said he met with residents Monday to discuss the nightclub's comeback.
"The village has to weigh the gravity of the circumstances and the history and violations involved with the severity of the punishment," Cavallaro said.
Reached by telephone, Tallarico declined to comment.
Based on the new permit, which carries stricter regulations, the club must close by 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Before, it stayed open until 4 a.m. on those nights, Cavallaro said.
The nightclub must buy a decibel meter and abide by noise level limits.
Another clause holds the club responsible for inappropriate advertising, Cavallaro said. "They can't advertise in a way that's a violation, even if they don't intend on having an event that's advertised that way."
Cavallaro declined to comment on another clause, which if violated would result in the permit's revocation. An event is considered "adult use," it reads, "in the event . . . this location serves as a link in a chain leading to an adult hotel or motel use which is distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on sexual activities or sexual anatomical areas . . ."
Nick Martone, who has lived behind the club's location since 1970, said neighbors were disappointed by the renewal. He mentioned the newly renovated, $10 million performance arts center set to open across the street.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do," Martone said, recalling noisy nights. "We'll see when it happens."
Said Cavallaro, "They have six months to prove whether they're a good neighbor or not." He added, "If they can't comply with the law, this is probably their last chance to do that."


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17 Family-Friendly Chicken Recipes
Served with slaw or potato salad, this chicken dinner will feel like an indoor picnic. Any leftover chicken makes a great school lunch.
Recipe: Buttermilk Baked Chicken
Glazed with equal parts soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar, these wings sizzle under the broiler while you prepare a simple broccoli-studded rice.
Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Wings
Fresh sage imparts Italian-style flavor to these crispy, pan-fried cutlets. Serve with steamed green beans and rice pilaf or potatoes.
Our freezer-friendliest baked pasta recipe makes one casserole that will serve four tonight, plus a second meal to freeze and pull out when you're in a pinch. This convenient dish features rotisserie chicken and frozen peas.
Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini
The main elements in this super-indulgent sandwich — our top pick for most convenient chicken dish — can be found at your local market. When selecting bottled barbecue sauce, we prefer brands that have a short list of familiar ingredients and no preservatives.
For a comforting chicken dinner everyone will love, try this roast chicken recipe from Minetta Tavern chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson.
Recipe: Roast Farmers Chicken
With a few trusty toothpicks and a sharp knife, you can prepare this Italian-style stuffed chicken in minutes. Cooking chicken breasts on the bone ensures the delicate white meat will stay moist and juicy.
Recipe: Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Cheese, Tomato, and Basil
Most of the ingredients in this spicy, ginger-infused stir-fry are probably sitting in your pantry already. Serve with steamed rice and Sautéed Spinach and Garlic.
Recipe: Chicken Stir-Fry Wraps
This is fast food you can feel good about eating. Children and grown-ups alike will love not only the crispy chicken, but also dipping it (and some veggie sticks) in the sweet, tangy sauce.
Hearty meats such as chicken thighs become fall-apart sumptuous after a long, gentle simmer in the slow cooker — the results are ideal for shredding into tacos or sandwich fillings.
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chili Chicken Tacos
This delicious recipe for chicken potpie comes from Chef John Delucie. He poaches the chicken in vegetable- and fresh-thyme-infused water for extra special flavor, but relies on convenient frozen puff pastry for the crust.
Recipe: Chicken Potpie
The secret to this healthier baked version of an Italian classic: the breading — only one side of the chicken has it; plus, whole-wheat bread subs in for white. A 10-minute homemade marinara sauce makes this dish special.
Recipe: Light Chicken Parmesan
Piled with sliced zucchini and shredded chicken and cheese, this barbecue-sauced pizza tempts kids and parents alike.
Recipe: Barbecued Chicken Pizza
You might expect rye bread and mustard on a sandwich, but here they make a very tasty crust for oven-baked chicken. A simple sauté of carrots and scallions rounds out the meal.
When preparing this memorable fix-and-forget chicken stew, use high-quality salsa to save time without skimping on flavor.
In just 25 minutes these seared chicken thighs will satisfy you any night of the week.
These sophisticated sandwiches are familiar enough for children. The chicken can be marinated the night before and broiled for dinner the day of. Pair it with a crunchy salad for a pleasant contrast between hot and cold.
Recipe: Apricot-and-Cheddar Chicken Melt


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Source: VICE
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I found a copy of this 1794 book, A Treatise on Muscular Action. This was a pioneering work on exercise. Apparently the author, John Pugh, invented apparatus for strengthening the muscles. The book doesn't illustrate the apparatus but it is mentioned in the testimonials at the beginning of the book.
You can see more illustrations from the book which is available as an ebook at Figure-Drawings.com
What it does illustrate in elaborate detail, with engravings by Thomas Kirk, is the structure of muscles under tension and the grouping of muscles working with and against each other.
It is these engravings that are interesting to artists both interested in figure drawing and in action comics or animation.
You can see more illustrations from the book which is available as an ebook at Figure-Drawings.com
The illustrations compare favorably to the work of such artists as Burne Hogarth, who has an equally strong line and way of illustrating groups of muscles in action.
Text at Amazon.com: A treatise on the science of muscular action. By John Pugh, anatomist.
Used copies of A Treatise on the Science of Muscular Action at Amazon.com.
Dynamic Figure Drawing
Dynamic Anatomy: Revised and Expanded Edition


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Not even tough economic times can keep consumers away from chocolate.
That's the word from Mars Multisales Africa General Manager, Helen Joubert.
"They might buy a single serving and there are lower volumes sold, but they don't move away," she said, adding that people were still inclined to buy chocolate despite the impact on their pocket because it served as a special treat during hard times.
Joubert heads up the local unit of US based Mars Incorporated, importing goods such as Wrigley's chewing gum, M&M's, Twix, Bounty and Mars Bars to SA as well as manufacturing pet food and convenience products Royco in South Africa.
"Consumers are looking for more and more deals, it's important to look at the trends responsible for consumption," Joubert told Fin24 in an interview at Mars Africa's offices in Woodmead, Sandton.
The SA unit of the global brand, established in 1994 has 2% of the market share in the chocolate market, dominated by giants such as Cadbury and Nestle.
But Joubert predicts growth ahead, with an emerging middle class able to afford premium products. Mars Africa's confectionary is aspirational in nature and seen in US movies and television shows. She also references the opportunity to penetrate the lower income market
Spending trends
Retailers and the manufacturing sector have been hit hard in recent years by weak consumer confidence and sluggish growth. The country dipped into recession in the first six months of 2018 and grew by just 0.8% for the year.
Joubert said the fast moving consumer goods sector (FMCG) was under pressure and this was reflected in Mars Africa sales and trends.
There are over six million dogs and four million cats in SA, according to Mars Africa research, which represent a massive opportunity for pet food manufacturers and distributors. During tough economic times, instead of feeding pets specialised food, some consumers tend to cut back and either feed their animals human scraps or only make use of the products once a day.
Joubert said this is where education is key in educating people about the value of combined feeding and the products available to supplement pet care in households under economic pressure.
Chewing gum is another area that the consumer goods sector requires a focused strategy with "consistency at every till point".
A great deal of research goes into consumer behaviour and Joubert says that gum is always an impulse product and never makes it to a shopping list. To ensure sales of Wrigleys gum, Mars Africa positions the product close to tills, otherwise people do not remember to buy it.
There is also the trend of younger people buying fruit flavours and customers over the age of 25, preferring mint brands.
Female succession plan
Joubert was appointed as General Manager Southern Africa for Mars Multisales Africa in November and was previously head of sales at the company. She began her career in medical equipment sales, having with a degree in Medical Technology from then Rau university, currently the University of Johannesburg.
She manages the local unit's operations of importing products from the Netherlands, Poland, Thailand and Australia as well as manufacturing plants in South Africa. Joubert also oversees the rest of Africa business with strong performance in Nigerian and Kenyan markets.
Joubert believes that for women to get ahead in the workplace, they need to be identified in a succession plan, early and this cannot be done on an ad-hoc basis as it often is with SA businesses.
The question of women business leaders has been brought to the fore again by the departure of Maria Ramos as CEO of Absa Bank at the end of February. She was the only female head of a TOP 40 listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Joubert said it is also important to understand women's needs in the workplace with world-life balance and parental time off.


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Only a properly prepared machine can deliver optimum operational reliability.
The end of one harvest is the start of planning for the next one – that's the thinking behind the CLAAS post-harvest check, as a standard service package to assess the technical condition of your machine at the end of the season. Even minor damage, faults or wear problems could have a dramatic impact on the next season's results – so that must not be allowed to happen.
The original CLAAS post-harvest check is a professional diagnosis of your machine, for the reliable detection and documentation of any weak points. The diagnosis report can be provided in digital form if required. This shows you and your CLAAS sales partner exactly what has to be done to get your machine into shape for the coming season.
The benefits at a glance
- Increased operating reliability
- Higher resale value of the machine
- Detailed technical diagnosis in the original CLAAS check log booklet
- On-the-spot advice and information on retrofit options
- Professional checking of your current software with the CLAAS DIAGNOSE SYSTEM (CDS)
- Service documentation with the CLAAS Online System
- Direct knowledge transfer for on-board optimisation
- Recording in the CLAAS machine history
- Special winter offers for spare parts kits or wear parts
- Quote for a specific repair job or comprehensive inspection
- Optional involvement of CLAAS factory customer service technician if separately commissioned by your dealer
Preventive maintenance to avoid cost surprises.
Order the original CLAAS post-harvest check from your sales partner, clean the machine and bring it in. They will then handle the whole process – from setting the timeline and, if applicable, commissioning the CLAAS customer service technician, to checking out every detail of your machine.
If any defects are found, or some significant preventive maintenance is needed, you will receive an individual quote for the repair or servicing job. You decide what work you want to have carried out, giving you full control over the work and the cost.


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Depp says Burton will be tackling his adaptation of "Dark Shadows" immediately after they finish up "Alice". No one seems to be asking if there's even potential in a remake of the cheesy TV vampire soap. Right now I'm more interested to see how his "Alice in Wonderland" adaptation goes.
I get it, poster for the festival hit "Dead Girl", lips look like vaginas. Actually, ya, that's a pretty sweet poster.
M. Night Shyamalan now has his very own official site. It stars M. Night Shyamalan in an M. Night Shyamalan produced project, where M. Night Shyamalan plays the most important person in the world who is meant to save us all by saying profound things in really childish and oversimplified ways. Sounds awesome, no?
Naked thief snatches food from drive-thru window and runs away with his prize. If you're having a tough day, that mental image is guaranteed to make you laugh.
This is the look of a man who just stabbed someone, and is awfully happy with himself. It's also the satisfied look of a Floridian. Coincidentally, pretty similar.
Poland's UFO files have been stolen. At the link, an interview with the guy who probably should have done something about it. (Good read though for conspiracy theorists like myself)
1374: In a sudden outbreak of Dancing Mania (aka "St. John's Dance"), people in the streets of Aix-la-Chapelle experience terrible hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapse from exhaustion. Many of the sufferers are afflicted with frothing at the mouth, diabolical screaming, and sexual frenzy. The phenomenon lasts well into the month of July. Nowadays, ergot madness is suspected as being the ultimate cause of the disorder.


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Your security and trust are of the highest importance to us. We work hard to protect all of your personal information and to ensure that you can feel confident knowing that your money is safe with BOSS Revolution.
And we offer a money-back guarantee that your money will be received or we'll refund your transaction in full.
Be sure to read our tips to make sure that you don't fall victim to fraud.


text: Two concerts from February, 2015 comprise this Valentine's Day edition of the program. The first features the Spartanburg Philharmonic welcoming the exciting, internationally-renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie for a contemporary concerto, and also includes a visionary symphonic poem by Liszt, and Romantic Russian themes by Khatchaturian and Tchaikovsky. Then it's over to Lancaster County for highlights from a concert of romantic opera arias, duets and art songs.


text: Better late than never I finally found time to look at my track files and do some 'smoothing' to remove stops, backtracking etc etc and also removing the specific location for people who offered me accommodation. These, it their .gpx form, are located here and are available for anyone for download. They are not completely linked as I forgot to enable tracking on a few occasions, but are still useful, especially when viewed in conjunction with the blog entries. I have not posted anything further west than Poland as I don't think anyone would be interested. My next job is to update OSM with my POI's for shops, accommodation, fuel etc..... That will take a few weeks as I am having to recreate them from the RAW trace files after my Montana decided to do a reset. btw, this was caused by my own impatience at the time and has nothing to do with any fault of the Montana. I will post the list when completed.


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russpie wrote:Hi, if anyone has one they'd like to sell (in good condition) or know where I can get my hands on one please let me know.
russpie wrote: I managed to get a Tel's Bell.
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text:
May 11, 2013
2012-13 Scholastic All-American Applications
Each year, USA Swimming recognizes its athlete members who excel
both in the classroom and in the pool. The Scholastic All-America
Team is made up of high school student-athletes who have a grade
point average of 3.5 or higher and who have achieved the required
time standard in a single event.
To be eligible for this recognition, swimmers must have completed 10th, 11th or 12th grade and must be a USA Swimming member athlete. Eligible times must be swum between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. The application must be completed by August 21, 2013.
The application for the 2012-2013 year will be available online on May 2, 2013. The only method for application will be the online application on the USA Swimming website. Applicants need to have a USA Swimming account. Qualifying times for the applicant will be validated through the Times on the USA Swimming website. The applicant will be required to upload a copy of his or her high school official transcript for the current academic year. All grades for both semesters (2012-2013) must be on the transcript.
Swimmers who have a 3.5 GPA and are applying as a Disability swimmer or Open Water swimmer will check off the meet in which they participated on the SAA Application. Results will be available for the SAA Tabulators to evaluate for swimmer participation. The eligible meets for Disability swimmers are the following: 2012 Paralympics, August 29-September 9, 2012, London, England and the U.S. Paralympics Spring Swimming Nationals, April 4-6, 2013, Minneapolis, MN. The eligible meet for Open Water is the 2013 Open Water National Championships, May 17-19, 2013, Castaic Lake, CA.
Please address all questions regarding the Scholastic All America application process to Betty Kooy
To learn more and apply click here.


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As your small business or startup grows, it's possible that you'll quickly outgrow your home office space (or other ad hoc office solution). The good news is that is not a bad problem to have. Still, finding the perfect office space has its challenges.
With limited staffs and strict budgets, small businesses need affordable solutions to help streamline productivity. Fortunately, business-centric tools and applications have become more prevalent and more powerful in recent years. If there's something your company does or wants to do, you can bet there's an app, platform or cloud-based service that can manage the task. Here are six of our favorites.Read More >
Local search marketing requires a refined SEO approach, designed to increase a business's visibility where it matters most. Here are the basics of geo-specific SEO, along with some strategies to help you connect with consumers who live near your company.Read More >
The New Year is often full of health-based resolutions like getting physically fit and eating healthier, but have you considered setting some new goals for your business and its finances? Getting your finances in check is the best way to ensure you can weather any downturns, and you'll reduce stress and run a better business in the process.Read More >
When it comes to running a business, some amount of debt is par for the course. When debt becomes unmanageable, however, it can torpedo a company's viability. If your small business is struggling with debt, the following tips can help you get back on track.Read More >
Small businesses come with never-ending financial responsibilities that can interfere with growth. From expenses and invoices to day-to-day accounting and year-end tax preparations, there are countless duties that take time away from providing services and producing goods. Fortunately, there are also several modern tools that can save business owners time and headaches that come with daily financial tasks. Here are nine essential budgeting tools to help streamline the financial side of your business.Read More >
Is your start-up business, and in turn your revenue, growing? Yes? Congratulations.Read More >
A good business credit score offers huge advantages, including low interest rates on loans, higher credit limits, lower insurance premiums and better supplier financing. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs inadvertently damage their company credit ratings due to bad habits and poor decisions. Here are some of the most common ways business owners harm their credit scores.Read More >
Have you ever felt disappointed with a business's conduct or actions, especially when you once trusted that organization? Have you even gone so far as to cease doing business with a company because of it?Read More >
These days, more and more entrepreneurs are successfully scaling their companies through nuanced use of traditional marketing techniques. Here are some effective hacks you can use to grow your business without making any major changes.Read More >
When we last talked about company culture, good communication was at the crux of many of the suggestions shared. But, what exactly does "good communication" look like, and how can it be achieved?Read More >
Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring tremendous opportunity and an overwhelming amount of competition. Here's how you can prepare your business to take advantage of these timely opportunities.Read More >
While we all hope to avoid them as much as possible, mistakes can actually fuel growth. Here are some of the most easily preventable content marketing errors, which could be stunting your company's growth.Read More >
The holidays will be here before you know it, and if that thought fills your head with dread rather than dancing sugar plums, take heart -- you can be ready for the season and capitalize on it if you make your list and check it twice now.Read More >
Branding is essential for businesses that want to stand out from the competition. Here are the fundamentals to effective branding, along with some tips for establishing your unique brand.Read More >


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Flights to Dakar from Malaga
Find cheap flights
Flights to Dakar from MalagaFlights Malaga - Dakar fly from Malaga to Dakar at the best prices in the market. Flights from Malaga (Málaga) to Dakar (Dakar-Yoff, Blaise Diagne International Airport) with Destinia. To search for availability and reserve your flight Malaga - Dakar look at the box above and select the departure and return date as desired. You can also buy several airplane tickets Malaga (Málaga airport) - Dakar (Dakar-Yoff, Blaise Diagne International Airport airport) at the same time, by selecting the adults, children and babies travelling. You can filter the type of flight if you only want direct flights to Malaga - Dakar, multiple destinations or flight stopovers.
InformationMalaga and Dakar are 2761 kilometres away from each other, with an estimated flight time of 03:57 h (this may vary depending on the weather or air routes)
Airports near Dakar
All Dakar airports
Flights to Dakar
Flights to Dakar (Senegal) most sought after by users, in the following chart we show the flights from some important cities to Dakar (Senegal) .
Top destinations in Senegal
Book your flights now from Dakar (Senegal) to the most important cities in the world. The box below contains flights from Dakar (Senegal) to the most important cities.


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2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC SUV - Premium Package
- WasTotal Discounts $52,485 -$6,485
- Our Price $46,000* + tax and licensing
- 14 in stock Great colours to choose from!
- Engine 2L I-4
- Transmission 7 Spd Automatic
- Drivetrain AWD
- Odometer 9,800 KMS
- Stock # 19961067
Vehicle Details
- Overview
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA for sale in Surrey, British Columbia
Premium Package, Premium Plus Package, 360-Degree Camera, Parking Assist System, 19 inch Aluminum Wheels! Mercedes-Benz Surrey is the official dealer of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart and Sprinter for Surrey and White Rock since 1999. Sitting in the lush, well appointed interior, you may be surprised at the rugged capability of this powerful SUV. An SUV that fits any occasion, this GLA is ready for your urban commute, your cross country road trip, and your back country trek in one beautiful package. Small and nimble like a hatchback, but rugged and capable like an SUV, you can get the job done in this GLA. With a comfortable, luxurious, and well appointed interior, you can get it done in comfort and style, too. This cosmos black metallic SUV has an automatic transmission and is powered by a 2.0L 4 Cylinder Engine. Our GLA's trim level is 250 4MATIC SUV. This GLA packs a whole lot of cool into a small package. ECO start/stop, dual clutch automatic transmission, shift paddles, 4 wheel independent suspension, active brake assist and adaptive braking, an off-road assistance program that gives you more in depth control, attention assist, active brake assist rear view camera, LED lighting including fog lights, SmartKey with keyless start, keyless go, and rain sensing wipers keep you rolling, safe, and in charge. Keeping you connected is a 7 inch color display with central controller, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, an in-dash SD card reader, and a CD player with MP3 capability. For supreme luxury the interior is loaded with three spoke steering wheel with audio and cruise control, a hands free power tailgate, 4.5 color instrument display, power driver seat with memory, heated front seats, fold flat front passenger seat, Mercedes me Connect services with remote start on your mobile app, and multicolor ambient cabin lighting. This vehicle has been upgraded with the following features: Premium Package, Premium Plus Package, 360-degree Camera, Parking Assist System, 19 Inch Aluminum Wheels. This is a demonstrator vehicle driven by a member of our staff and has just 9800 kms. To apply right now for financing use this link : https://www.mbfs.ca/MBFCWeb/cfc/credit-applicationVehicleDealerInfoPrepare.do?language=en We've discounted this vehicle $6485. See dealer for details. Mercedes-Benz Surrey is the official dealer of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, smart and Sprinter for Surrey and White Rock since 1999. Our state-of-art facility features a stunning new showroom with a wide selection of new and certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, smart vehicles and Sprinter Vans. Our service area includes eight service bays, oversized Sprinter bays and factory-trained technicians. With our knowledge and helpful staff, we are always eager to accommodate your concerns and answer any of your questions.Our dedicated sales staff and top-trained technicians are here to make your auto shopping experience fun, easy and financially advantageous. Please visit our various online resources and allow our excellent network of people to put you in your ideal car or SUV today!ll Come by and check out our fleet of 70+ used cars and trucks and 100+ new cars and trucks for sale in Surrey. o~o
- Specifications
- Seating capacity
- 5
- Air conditioning
- Dual Zone Front Automatic
- Cruise control
- Yes
- Front windows
- Power
- Rear windows
- Power
- Tilting steering wheel
- Manual
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Manual
- Yes
- Radio
- AM/FM/Satellite
- Curb weight (kg)
- 1555
- Height (mm)
- 1524
- Length (mm)
- 4417
- Wheelbase (mm)
- 2700
- Width (mm)
- 1803
- Fuel economy - city (L/100 km)
- 10.1
- Fuel economy - combined (L/100 km)
- Fuel economy - highway (L/100 km)
- 7.6
- Fuel tank capacity (L)
- 56.0
- Recommended fuel
- Gasoline Fuel
- Seating capacity
- 5
- Brakes
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Front tires
- Front wheel diameter (in)
- 18
- Front wheel width (in)
- 6.5
- Horsepower (hp)
- Rear tires
- Rear wheel diameter (in)
- 18
- Rear wheel width (in)
- 6.5
- Speed sensitive steering
- Yes
- Steering activation
- Electric Power-Assist Speed-Sensing
- Steering type
- Rack-Pinion
- Torque (lb-ft)
- Wheel material
- Aluminum
- Drive type
- Engine cylinders
- Engine litres
- 2.0
- Horsepower (hp)
- Torque (lb-ft)
- Transmission
- 7-Speed A/T
- 4-Wheel
- Driver front-impact airbag
- Yes
- Driver side-impact airbag
- Yes
- Overhead airbag
- Curtain 1st and 2nd row
- Passenger front-impact airbag
- Yes
- Passenger side-impact airbag
- Yes
- Rear child safety
- Yes
- Security system
- Yes
- Side impact bars
- Yes
- Stability control
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction control
- ABS And Driveline
- Basic distance (km)
- 80,000
- Basic months
- 48
- Roadside assistance distance (km)
- Unlimited
- Roadside assistance months
- 48
- Scheduled maintenance distance (km)
- Scheduled maintenance months
- GVWR (kg)
- 1990
* Please note that all the above options, with the exception of 'Installed Options', are drawn from the generic 'base' version of the vehicle. The options listed might not exactly match this specific vehicle.
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Mercedes-Benz Surrey
15508-104th Ave
Surrey , British Columbia V3R 1N8
Pricing shown includes all applicable dealer fees including Freight/ PDI, Admin, EHF Tires, Filters and Batteries and applicable provincial fees. Prices do not include taxes, insurance and license fees, as well as any other products or services not listed that may be available to you through your selected Mercedes-Benz dealership. Vehicle prices subject to change without notice. Dealer may sell for less. Please contact the dealership directly for exact pricing details and total prices. Note: Vehicle may not be exactly as shown. Some vehicles may be shown with optional equipment or equipment not available in Canada. **Regarding towing capacity listed: Maximum permissible gross weight of the trailer, if the trailer is equipped with a separate functional braking system. Please make sure to comply with local trailer load regulations


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The Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday charged a Houston-based hedge fund manager, George Jarkesy Jr., and his firm, John Thomas Capital Management, of defrauding investors in two hedge funds and steering bloated fees to Thomas Belesis, CEO of John Thomas Financial.
Belesis, who appeared in the film Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps, also is charged in the SEC's case.
An investigation by the SEC's Enforcement Division found that Jarkesy worked closely with Belesis to launch two hedge funds that raised $30 million from investors.
Jarkesy and his firm, John Thomas Capital Management (since renamed Patriot28), inflated valuations of the funds' assets, causing the value of investors' shares to be overstated and his management and incentive fees to be increased, according to the SEC. Jarkesy, a frequent media commentator and radio talk show host, also lied to investors about the identity of the funds' auditor and prime broker, the SEC says.
Meanwhile, the SEC says that although they shared the same John Thomas brand name, Jarkesy's firm and Belesis' firm were portrayed as wholly independent. Jarkesy led investors to believe that as manager of the funds, he was solely responsible for all investment decisions.
However, the SEC says, "Belesis sometimes supplanted Jarkesy as the decision maker and directed some investments from the hedge funds into a company in which his firm was heavily invested. Belesis also bullied Jarkesy into showering excessive fees on John Thomas Financial even in instances where the firm had done virtually nothing to earn them."
According to the SEC's order, Jarkesy violated his fiduciary duties to the funds in multiple instances by providing excessive compensation to Belesis and John Thomas Financial. This only incited further demands by Belesis.
For example, in February 2009, Belesis angrily complained via e-mail that Jarkesy was not steering enough money to John Thomas Financial, and Jarkesy responded that "we will always try to get you as much as possible, Everytime [sic] without exception!" On another occasion, Jarkesy reassured Belesis that "[n]obody gets access to Tommy until they make us money!!!!!"
Andrew Calamari, director of the SEC's New York Regional Office, said in a statement that "Jarkesy disregarded the basic standards to which all fund managers are held. Not only did he falsify valuations and deceive investors about the value of their holdings, but he bent over backwards to enrich Belesis at the funds' expense. Belesis in turn exploited the supposed independence of the funds to surreptitiously pull the strings on key decisions."
According to the SEC's order instituting administrative proceedings against Jarkesy, Belesis and their firms, Jarkesy launched the two hedge funds, John Thomas Bridge and Opportunity Fund LP I and John Thomas Bridge and Opportunity Fund LP II, in 2007 and 2009. The funds invested in three asset classes: bridge loans to startup companies, equity investments principally in microcap companies, and life settlement policies.
Says the SEC: "Jarkesy mispriced certain holdings to increase the net asset values of the funds, which were the basis for calculating the management and incentive fees that Jarkesy deducted from the funds for himself. Jarkesy also falsely claimed that prominent service providers such as KPMG and Deutsche Bank worked with the funds."
According to the SEC's order, Jarkesy used fund assets to hire multiple stock promoters in 2010 and 2011 to create an artificial and unsustainable spike in the price of two microcap stocks in which the funds were heavily invested. As a result of these efforts, the funds recorded temporary gains in the value of the microcap stocks that Jarkesy used to mask the writedown of other more illiquid holdings of the funds.


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Comprehensive smoke-free laws are spreading across the U.S., although there remains room for improvement, an analysis of policies covering the nation's 50 largest cities showed.
At the end of 2002, only one of those cities -- San Jose, Calif. -- had a comprehensive smoke-free law, defined as one banning smoking in all indoor areas of private workplaces, restaurants, and bars without exceptions, according to Stephen Babb, MPH, of the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, and colleagues.
By October 2012, however, 30 cities (60%) were covered by such a law at the local level, state level, or both, the researchers reported in the Nov. 16 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
"The progress in extending comprehensive secondhand smoke protections to the majority of the 50 largest U.S. cities reported in this study is a major public health achievement," they wrote.
But, they added, work remains to be done.
"In particular, a number of cities in the southern United States have ineffective smoking restrictions or none at all," Babb and colleagues wrote. "This gap in policy coverage creates disparities in public health protections that are likely to both reflect and contribute to broader tobacco-related population disparities."
Smoke-free laws sprang up at the local level in the 1990s; the first came in 1993 from Shasta County, Calif. States followed about a decade later when Delaware became the first to implement a statewide comprehensive smoke-free law in 2002.
Currently, 25 states and the District of Columbia have implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws, and one will go into effect in North Dakota in December.
To look at the implementation of comprehensive smoke-free laws over time, the CDC and the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation (ANRF) compared coverage in the largest U.S. cities at the end of 2000 with coverage in October 2012. In 2010, populations among these cities ranged from 365,438 in Arlington, Tex., to 8,175,133 in New York City.
The researchers used data from the ANRF's U.S. Tobacco Control Laws Database and the CDC's State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System database. The analysis looked only at laws covering private workplaces, restaurants, and bars, and not at all settings in which a nonsmoker could be exposed to secondhand smoke.
Although there was a substantial increase in the proportion of cities that were covered by a comprehensive smoke-free law over time, 20 cities were not covered by a state or local law in 2012.
Of those, 14 did have 100% smoke-free provisions that covered at least one of the settings examined in the study, but six did not -- Los Angeles; Oklahoma City; Atlanta; Fresno, Calif.; Virginia Beach, Va.; and Tulsa, Okla.
Ten of the 20 cities without a comprehensive law are located in the South and six are located in California, "which has substantial statewide smoking restrictions that were enacted in 1994, at an early point in the evolution of smoke-free policies, and fall short of current standards for comprehensive smoke-free laws," according to the researchers.
The analysis was supported by the CDC. Authors are employees of the agency.
Primary Source
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Source Reference: Hopkins M, et al "Comprehensive smoke-free laws -- 50 largest U.S. cities, 2000 and 2012" MMWR 2012; 61: 914-917.


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Seoul, KOREA, July 30, 2018 - tis Korea ("Otis"; IS Cho, VP & Managing Director of Otis Korea) has released the Gen2® Care with special antimicrobial features, designed for multiple-use buildings including hospitals and medical facilities. Otis, the world's leading manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products, such as elevators, escalators, and moving walkways is a unit of United Technologies (NYSE: UTX).
The Otis Gen2 Care elevator is equipped with a specially designed 'Care System,' with antimicrobial features that help reduce bacteria in the cab. The corners of the cab are fitted with UV LED lights for disinfection while the walls and handrails are coated with antibacterial materials. After rigorous tests by the Korea Analysis Test Researcher (KATR), the UV LED lighting was officially certified for its antimicrobial effects against E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.
The Gen2 Care also adopted a pest control system and a ventilation feature designed to keep the air fresh inside the cab. Information about the Care System is provided on the COP, keeping passengers informed aboutits benefits.
"While the Gen2 Care elevator accomodates specific needs with its antimicrobial features, it also adopts the distinctive features of the Gen2 global bestseller for excellent operational efficiency and extraordinary design options. Understanding the public's growing interest in health and hygiene, we expect our new release to be welcomed not just by medical facilities that have stringent requirements for contamination and infection control, but also by general residential and commercial buildings," explained IS Cho, VP & Managing Director of Otis Korea.
Gen2 Care takes its design concept from the Ambiance global design model, the winner of the Good Design Award for three years in a row, with three new styles: Shine Gold, Rosé Wine, and Modern Silver. The elevator doors and walls have natural patterns inspired by mountains, flowers, and leaves for a passenger ride that is elegant and comfortable.
The cabs can hold 15 to 30 people, and are designed to accommodate passengers and hospital beds.
Gen2 Care brings its technological and environment-friendly innovations from the global bestseller Gen2 elevators, which have had more than half a million units sold around the world. Its key features includes the patented 'flat belt' technology that has replaced conventional steel ropes. The flat belt is slim and yet durable, but lasts long, reducing replacement and maintenance costs. Another standard feature is the Otis ReGen™ drive, a regenerative technology that feeds lost energy back into the system and saves up to 75% under normal conditions than a conventional geared elevator without a regenerative drive.
The Gen2 elevator has cemented Otis' reputation as a leader in industry innovation. For four consecutive years (2015 - 2018), the Otis Gen2 elevator was selected as the most innovative elevator product in the INNOSTAR Certification hosted annually by the Korea Management Registrar Inc. based on customer satisfaction survey.
About Otis Otis is the world's leading manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products, including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Founded 165 years ago by the inventor of the safety elevator, Otis offers products and services through its companies in approximately 200 countries and territories. Otis is a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. For more information, visit www.otis.com, or follow Otis on LinkedIn, YouTube and as @OtisElevatorCo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Industry News for Integrative Therapeutics
825 Challenger Drive
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311
Theracurmin, the first water-dispersible curcumin, now available from Integrative Therapeuticsâ¢
GREEN BAY, WI (October 30, 2012)—Leading supplement manufacturer, Integrative Therapeutics, launches the first water-dispersible curcumin, Theracurmin.
Theracurmin is 27X more bioavailable than standard curcumin. It dissolves quickly and maintains solubility over time, thereby improving curcumin's overall absorption. This novel preparation of turmeric utilizes patented, natural colloidal dispersion technology to enhance bioavailability and dramatically increase curcumin levels in the blood.*
Gaetano Morello, a naturopathic physician practicing in West Vancouver, Canada, comments, "For years I've been a big fan of effective curcumin products. Theracurmin is an exciting novel ingredient that is already showing impressive clinical outcomes for a variety of conditions."
Curcumin is a frequently studied natural ingredient, however, these studies are limited due to curcumin's historically poor absorption in humans.
Though new to the market, Theracurmin has already been the subject of compelling clinical research demonstrating its ability to promote healthy liver function in humans.*
Other research on Theracurmin demonstrates its ability to increase skin moisture levels, promote exercise endurance in postmenopausal women, and support muscle fatigue after endurance exercise. At the time of this writing, two additional clinical trials of Theracurmin are ongoing.
Integrative Therapeutics offers this novel form of turmeric in a 600 mg vegetarian capsule. The company recommends a loading dose of 3 a day for the first week, followed by 1-2 capsules a day, depending on the specific patient needs.
On December 12th, Dr. Morello will host a live webinar discussing the benefits of Theracurmin, along with specific clinical applications and real case studies showing successful use within his practice.
To register, or for more information on Theracurmin, visit www.integrativeinc.com.
Integrative Therapeutics, LLC manufactures and distributes proprietary, natural supplements exclusively to medical professionals. Our manufacturing facility meets stringent quality standards and is an organically certified and drug GMP audited facility. Find out more at www.integrativeinc.com.
Chiropractic Events


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Photo from Dolly Varden's Facebook page.
Note: This article originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer. The band, which was also recently profiled in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and Time Out Chicago, just returned from a short tour in the UK.
Dolly Varden has been releasing CD's since its critically-acclaimed debut, Mouthful Of Lies, came out in 1995, but describing the Chicago-based quintet's music can still be a bit tricky. Singer-guitarist Steve Dawson crisscrosses genres as Dolly Varden's main songwriter, like an artist choosing colors from a palette. There are swatches of indie rock, folk, and country. Dawson's wife, singer-keyboards player Diane Christiansen, used to do more songwriting, but has recently become heavily involved with her career as an artist. All but one of the Dolly Varden CD covers have featured her intriguing artwork. The couple has been working with the same musicians -- guitarist-lap steel player-vocalist Mark Balletto, bassist-vocalist Mike Bradburn, and drummer-piano player-vocalist Matt Thobe -- throughout Dolly Varden's entire history. For A While, their first effort in seven years, adds even more nuances to the band's eclectic approach.
"This was an attempt to make more of a rock record," Dawson explained during a recent interview at the home he shares with Christiansen. "That was the plan. I don't know if we carried it out because I think the songs I like best on For A While are the ones that aren't big rock songs."
Some of the engaging introspective songs are the title track, which features Christiansen on lead vocal; Dawson's folksy and autobiographical "Saskatchewan To Chicago," and the delicate "Favorite Friend." But Dolly Varden also does a fine job of executing the big rock songs. "Done (Done)" has a driving beat, "Walking The Chalkline Again" mixes gorgeous harmonies and energetic guitar playing, and "Thank You" gives the CD a rollicking finale. The catchy "Why Why Why" would have fit in well on Fleetwood Mac's Rumours LP.
"I always thought of that song sounding like Van Morrison," Dawson said of "Why Why Why." "But I appreciate the Fleetwood Mac [comparison] very much." Dolly Varden did a short set of Buckingham-Nicks era Fleetwood Mac songs as part of a tribute band weekend at the Martyrs' club in Chicago this past Halloween. "I always liked them, but now I respect them more, after having sort of looked under the hood of those songs."
As a songwriter, Dawson draws inspiration from various sources, including the early 1970's music of Neil Young, Gram Parsons, and Linda Ronstadt, as well as The Beatles. He agreed with the image of him being like an artist working from a palette.
"I also hear the comment, 'Wow, the record is really varied,'" he noted. "Maybe that's because the template for me was those middle-period Beatles records where every song was a world unto itself."
Dawson added that his best songs seem to spring from nowhere, as opposed to ones that he really has to labor over. Having read interviews with songwriters, and books by Keith Richards and Neil Young, he's discovered that other artists also feel the creative process works best when it flows naturally. Dawson teaches Fundamental Songwriting and Continuing Songwriting classes at The Old Town School Of Folk Music, but feels he can only present the mechanics, along with a forum for sharing ideas.
"I can't teach you how to write a song," he maintained. "You have to learn by doing it." He gives his more advanced students challenging assignments like pretending they're trying to write a hit single for Country & Western legend, Patsy Cline. "They bring it in and play it for everybody, and we talk about what may or may not be working."


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Arda Ocal of The Score Television Network and the Baltimore Sun spoke with WWE legend and film & tv star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Highlights:
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– How he's recovering from knee surgery and if he'll ever compete again and the fact that he would be willing to entertain an offer from WWE and where exactly that process is at right now.
– Discusses the release of the WWE '13 video game in which he is a focal point, and does it bother him that CM Punk is on the cover.
– Talks about the return of his reality tv series Redneck Island on CMT. "I consider myself the king of rednecks."
– Why an Austin/Hogan dream match never happened. "I don't think I just ever wanted to wrestle the guy I guess."
– Finally Austin gives his opinion on the recent CM Punk/Paul Heyman "Fake Heart Attack" incident and if he thinks it crossed the line. "I believe in pushing the envelope in an aggressive fashion. But when a guy damn near dies at ringside, let it go."


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HUC-JIR Museum
One West 4th Street
New York, New York
The L.A. Story investigates the impact of place and the search for artistic community on the creativity of artists who share a religious, cultural, and spiritual heritage by presenting a selection of work from ten contemporary Los Angeles Jewish artists. Working in diverse styles and mediums, with each expressing an individual voice, their range of subject matter addresses politics, myth, memory, spirituality, surrealism, Kabbalah, and historic narrative. Techniques include metal collage, oil painting, drawing, photography and digital manipulation.
"A commitment to Jewish issues and values is pervasive and from a personal perspective," says Laura Kruger, exhibition curator. "The sprawl of Los Angeles impedes a physically close art community and so they meet informally with other Jewish artists to study texts, discuss current issues, world affairs, and maintain a collegial rapport. At the same time, their physical environment - the endless, cloudless skies, the vast, sere desert and the sea at the edge of the earth are repeated elements in many of their works."
The art historian Simon Schama, in his book,Landscape and Memory, notes that the land shapes artists' internal lives and imbues their art with a distinct sense of place. In his exhibition catalog essay, Matthew Baigell elaborates: "The work of these artists is much more free-wheeling and wide-ranging, that is, quite distinctive from that of the old cultural core of the New York art world with its pervasive Eastern European influences. In fact, one might even argue that the center of gravity of Jewish American art has shifted to Los Angeles and that it is currently the most important center in the country for the production of such art. This exhibition at HUC-JIR marks a comprehensive look at a group of artists who are in process of contributing to a broad spectrum of styles and subjects that have already begun to form new chapters in the history of Jewish American art."
Bill Aron, in a new body of work, captures the zest for life and the celebration of each moment by individuals, each of whom is a Holocaust survivor. Their searing history and memories are not forgotten but their positive choice of embracing family and life to the fullest is captured by Aron's sympathetic, joyous photographs, titledHolocaust Survivors: The Indestructible Spirit.
Memory, history, and persecution are the dominant theme of Eugene Yelchin's masterpiece, the Section Five: USSR Jewish Passport Portraits oil paintings. In these stylized images Yelchin forces us to confront the anti-Semitism directed against Russian Jews, and the resulting internalization of a flawed sense of identity.
Ruth Weisberg also remembers the thwarted history of Jewish lives in peril. In her oil on canvas painting, Harbor, against a background of the sea, an embracing couple is poised amidst war and separation. Fire and Water captures the anxiety of ship board refugees, Holocaust survivors bound for Eretz Israel but turned away to languish in Cyprus.
Metal collage, the inventive medium for Tony Berlant's The Jew in the Desert (Journey #81), is used to great effect to create an epic desert landscape with writhing, stylized foliage. The desert is a major factor in the lives of all Los Angelenos and this work is a metaphor for creativity turning an arid wasteland into a flourishing garden.
Magical, manipulated computer images overlaid with fused metals are presented like glowing jewels by Victor Raphael. Raphael looks beyond the night sky into distant galaxies to capture these exquisite images. Bonita Helmer, a student of Kabbalah, studies the skies to approach spirituality through her art. Prelude is an exploding galactic image that draws us in to its vortex.
The diorama and surrealist collages by Elena Mary Siff capture this special place called L.A., the land of self invention, Watts Towers, Hollywood, glamour, glitter, and tinsel. Siff questions reality and discards it in favor of the fantasy of movie memories.
Sam Erenberg playfully expounds on his name and has created silk screen 'memories' of possible relatives, all named in varying spellings of Erenberg. His Los Angeles artist portrait series links these creative individuals together by posing them each holding a volume (made by Erenberg) bearing a title of Roland Barthes's writings.
Joyce Dallal, rightfully concerned with peace in the Middle East and the continued safety of Israel, has massed crumpled texts of various United Nations Resolutions, the contorted paper paralleling the struggle of the peace initiatives. Patricia Berger, painting in a large, narrative scale brings our thoughts back to the Biblical epoch and connects archetypical women to contemporary Judaism.
The artists in The L.A. Story, from diverse geographical backgrounds and different Jewish ethnic heritages, have joined together with others to form the Jewish Artists Initiative of Southern California, an artist-run advocacy organization committed to fostering visual art by Jewish artists - originally conceived in 2003 by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles in partnership with the University of Southern California Casden Institute and the USC Roski School of Fine Arts.
This exhibition and catalog have been made possible by the support of Steven Fogel, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, and the Angell Foundation.